SLL Monthly Newsletter

This month we will continue to focus on Relationship Skills as we wrap up our third unit, "Caring for Each Other".

• January 6 - 9: Reestablishing a Classroom Community/Review Week - After returning from Winter Break you may want to use this time to review and revisit your classroom shared agreements, expectations, and continue to strengthen your classroom community. This is also a great time to review or reteach any SLL themes.
• January 12 - 16: Recognizing & Appreciating Contributions of Others - It is important to understand that each individual is unique, so it is important we recognize and appreciate our induvial differences. When we appreciate what others have to offer we can respect each others' differences and learn new things.
• January 20 - 23: Offering Help (Relationship Skills)-Although people may need help sometimes, they don’t always ask for it. It is important to recognize when others may need help. Learning how to offer help is one way to be a better friend, classmate, and a community member.
• January 26 - 30: Helping Others Feel Valued & Included (Relationship Skills)- When we think about relationships, we need to think about the characteristics we look for in our friends and the type of friend we want to be. It is important we help others feel included and are kind and respectful to others.

SDPBC educators can find lessons and resources to support these SLL Themes on our SLL Resource Center under the "Elementary", "Middle School", and "High School" tab. To access the SLL Resource Center, log in to your District portal and search "SLL". Click on the SLL Heart Tile.

SLL Signature Practice Ideas for Middle Schools

These prompts and activities can be used as Welcoming Rituals, Engaging Practices, and/or Optimistic Closures. The SLL explicit instruction lesson for each theme has been linked each week. Please note that YouTube links may have ads on them so you should have the video cued up to go so students don’t view the ads.

Elementary Book of the Quarter 3: The Cool Bean

Our third book of the quarter is The Cool Bean by Jory John & Pete Oswald. In this story, a "has-bean" tries to fit in with the “cool beans" but discovers that kindness is more important than being cool. Through a series of events where the cool beans help him, the has- bean realizes that being kind is the true way to be cool.

Click here for read aloud ideas, classroom extension activities, school-wide announcement ideas and activities, and more.

• 5 Ways to help Other People in Need: From Compassion to Action (American Red Cross)
  
• Connecting and Caring for Each Other in Tough Times (Emerging Minds)
• Ted Talk: Helping Others Makes Us Happier (Elizabeth Dunn)
• 13 Self-Care Things that Also Care for Others (MDK)

The SLL Team is accepting applications again for schools who are interested in participating in our two cohort opportunities listed below for the 2026 - 2027 school year. Applications are open now so schools can be selected in February and planning can start in Spring 2026 to help launch the cohorts successfully for next school year. Click on the links below to learn more about each cohort opportunity and/or attend the informational session. All applications are due Friday, February 6, 2025.

• SLL RCA House System Climate & Culture Cohort: For elementary and middle schools interested in implementing Ron Clark Academy’s House System.

• Informational Session: January 20, 2026 9:30-10:30am meet.google.com/drn-zocx-cxn

• Cohort Expectations & Requirements

• SLL RCA House System Climate & Culture Cohort 5 Application

• SLL Emotion Regulation & Kiwi Calm Corner Cohort: For elementary schools interested in implementing a robust emotion regulation curriculum to support their kindergarten and first grade students with emotion regulation and self-management strategies.

• Information Session: January 13, 2026 9:00 - 9:30AM meet.google.com/zfn-vyit-ior

• Cohort Expectations & Requirements

• SLL Emotion Regulation & Kiwi Calm Corner Cohort 4 Application

If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Rulison, SLL, School Counseling, Health & Physical Education Manager.

The Student Mental Health and Wellness Conference is a great place to share your expertise in supporting student resilience, Skills for Learning & Life, healthy connections, mental health and well-being. The Conference Committee is soliciting workshop presentations and you are encouraged to submit a program proposal. Learn more about the Call for Proposals at http://l.sdpbc.net/SMHaWProposals.

• Stay connected with the Conference Website - http://l.sdpbc.net/SMHaWWeb
• Share the Save the Date Flyer - http://l.sdpbc.net/SMHaWFlyer
• Consider a Call for Proposals - http://l.sdpbc.net/SMHaWProposals

• Mentorship -Giving or asking for support, guidance, training, or expertise.
• Responsible Decision-Making - Thinking about all options and outcomes to make the best choice.

The Resiliency Palm Beach Instruction Guide can be used in conjunction with the Scope & Sequence to reinforce weekly resiliency characteristics. This guide includes morning announcements, extension activities, and recognition resources to honor students who demonstrate resiliency.

Separate guides are available for Elementary and Secondary, along with certificates and images in the Resiliency Palm Beach certificates folder:

• FY26 Elementary Resiliency Palm Beach Instruction Guide
• FY26 Secondary Resiliency Palm Beach Instruction Guide
• Resiliency Palm Beach Certificates

Schools are encouraged to send home the Resiliency Florida's resources linked below to families and caregivers to support this month's Resiliency Characteristics: Mentorship and Responsible Decision-Making:

Mentorship Parent Resources:

• K-2 Parent Resource
• 3-5 Parent Resource
• 6-8 Parent Resource
• 9-12 Parent Resource

Responsible Decision-Making Parent Resources:

• K-2 Parent Resource
• 3-5 Parent Resource
• 6-8 Parent Resource
• 9-12 Parent Resource

Please review the District’s FY26 Human Trafficking Prevention Month Resource Guide, which includes comprehensive resources to support your students, staff, and families throughout January.

The Palm Beach County School District will observe National Wear Blue Day on Friday, January 9, 2026, since the official day is Sunday, January 11th. Please share the flyer with students, families, and staff.